Torpedo pile with enhanced clamping strength for anchoring floating structures and method of installation

ABSTRACT

A Torpedo Pile ( 100 ) is described for the anchoring of floating structures used for drilling and production wells for oil and gas, the pile ( 100 ) comprising a tapering body ( 1 ) provided with fins ( 20 ) and a point ( 30 ) for embedding in the seabed, its upper end being provided with at least two plates ( 2 ) provided with flaps ( 3 ), said flaps being capable of inducing a rotation of the articulation elements ( 4 ) when a dragging force is exerted on the system. With the continuation of the dragging force, the plates ( 2 ) continue to rotate as far as a final configuration, when the points of contact ( 6 ) of stops ( 5 ) are reached. The pile ( 100 ) comprises one embodiment for permanent anchorage and another for temporary anchorage. The method of installation/withdrawal of the two embodiments is also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of equipment for anchoring of floating structures used for drilling and supporting production wells for oil and/or gas, and more specifically to the field of equipment for anchoring these structures using the concept of piles free-falling to become embedded in the sea-bed.

PRINCIPLES OF THE INVENTION

The anchoring of floating structures by the application of vertical load for the drilling and production of oil/gas is effected by means of anchors of the VLA (Vertical Load Anchor) type, gravity structures, plates, embedded piles, or drilled or cemented piles.

Embedded piles are installed by pile drivers, by propulsion, or by a system of suction applicable to short piles of large cross-section. These anchoring systems generally require specialised equipment for carrying out piling installation operations, or, in the case of VLA type anchors, a large free area at the base is necessary for embedding by dragging.

A system for low-cost securing of piling currently available is the free-fall system disclosed in WO 98/08733, incorporated herein by reference, designated the Torpedo Pile. This document refers to a pile for anchoring floating structures in deep and extremely deep water, comprising basically an elongated body, the lower end of which is provided with a tapered point, while the upper end is provided with a closing disk. The body of the pile has vertical fins close to the head. The inside of the body of the pile is filled with material of high specific weight, distributed in such a way that the centre of gravity of the pile is situated well below its centre of buoyancy. The pile is installed by using the potential energy it has at the surface of the sea by releasing it from a ship such that it free-falls and penetrates into the seabed.

The proposed developments notwithstanding, the present technique involves a pile for anchoring floating structures used in the exploitation of oil and/or gas wells which has enhanced clamping power, the pile being installed in the seabed by free-falling. The enhanced clamping strength preferably derives from articulated plates shaped to the upper part of the body, such a pile being described and claimed in the present Application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a torpedo pile with enhanced clamping strength for vertical load anchoring, comprising a body (1) having provided at one end a pointed tip (30) for embedding in the seabed, said pile being characterised by at least one articulated movable plate (2) provided with a flap (3), said flap (3) being capable of causing rotation of the plates (2) when a dragging force is exerted on the system, until, the plates (2) reach points of contact (6) of stops (5).

In one embodiment, the invention provides a Torpedo Pile with enhanced clamping strength for anchors with vertical loads, to be used for oil and gas drilling and production wells, consisting of a tapering body ending in a point for embedding into the seabed, comprising, in the manner of a pile intended for permanent anchoring, vertical wings along said tapering body, and with which:

-   -   the upper end of said body is provided on the outside with at         least two movable articulated plates provided with flaps, these         flaps being capable of incurring rotation of the articulated         elements when a pulling force is exerted on the system, up to         the point at which, at the end of the dragging force, the plates         reach points of contact with stops,         such that said pile is embedded in the seabed with enhanced         clamping strength.

In the embodiment of the Torpedo Pile with enhanced clamping strength for temporary anchors with vertical loads, this additionally comprises:

-   -   internally, a movable cylinder, said cylinder being in contact         with said stops by means of apertures in the wall of the body,         in such a way that,         during the withdrawal operation of the pile, said movable         cylinder is removed by the upper part with the aid of a cable         connected to said upper part, and the stops are moved into the         interior of the body until the plates are parallel to the body         of the pile.

Accordingly, the invention provides for a Torpedo Pile for anchoring with vertical loads, in which flaps in the form of plates incur rotation of the articulated elements when a pulling force is exerted on the system, up to the point at which the plates reach points of contact with stops, resulting in enhanced clamping strength.

The invention also provides for a Torpedo Pile with enhanced clamping strength for permanent anchors with vertical loads.

The invention also provides for a Torpedo Pile with enhanced clamping strength for temporary anchoring with vertical loads, the use of which involves the embedding of said pile in the seabed and its removal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 appended shows an embodiment of the invention used for permanent anchoring. FIG. 1A shows the pile with the flaps closed.

FIG. 1B shows the pile with the flaps open;

FIG. 2 appended shows an embodiment of the invention used for temporary anchoring. FIG. 2A shows the pile with the flaps closed, while FIG. 2B shows the pile with the flaps open;

FIG. 3 appended shows the process of withdrawing the pile from the seabed, applicable to the temporary anchoring situation. FIG. 3A shows the start of the embedding of the pile, with the flaps closed and turned upwards.

FIG. 3B shows the start of the process of withdrawal of the pile with the movement of the movable cylinder upwards. FIG. 3C shows the pile during the withdrawal process with the flaps closed and turned downwards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention makes use of the concept of the free-fall for embedding the Torpedo Pile, provided with a system of articulated plates, with the intention of increasing the clamping strength of the Torpedo Pile for anchoring installations with vertical loads.

The Torpedo Pile, designated overall by the reference number 100, is provided with fins 20, generally four in number, diametrically opposed, intended to increase the clamping strength of the pile.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The pile 100 according to this embodiment is intended for a permanent anchorage, with the pile remaining permanently in the seabed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the pile 100 consists of a body 1, with the lower end provided with a tipped point 30 and the upper end provided with plates 2 provided with flaps 3, said flaps being capable of inducing a rotation of the plates about the articulated elements 4 when a vertical movement force or uprooting force is exerted on the system. With the continuation of an uprooting force, the plates 2 continue to rotate downwardly as far as a final configuration in which they are substantially horizontal, when they reach the points of contact 6 of the stops 5.

In the configuration according to FIG. 1, the stops 5 are fixed, arranged in the body 1 of the pile. The initial arrangement of the plates 2 in their vertical configuration allows the pile to more easily penetrate the sea-bed. When an uprooting force is applied, the plates move down to enhance the anchoring of the pile.

In the configuration of FIG. 2, the stops 5 are attached to the movable plates 2.

The flaps 3 are preferably themselves plates attached to the plates 2. They are preferably attached at an angle to the plates 2 such that when the plates 2 are vertical, the flaps extend at an angle from the vertical, e.g. 10-45°, more preferably 30°. This helps to ensure the uprooting force moves the plates so as to deploy them in the clamping position.

In each embodiment, the top of the upper end of the pile 100 is provided with an eye 11 to which a cable or chain 10 can be fitted.

The eye 11 has a configuration that will allow for traction to be exerted on it in any direction, and not only in the vertical direction as with the eyes according to the prior art. In addition, the base of the eye 11 has an aperture 12 such as to allow for the fitting of a link 13 with contact between the sling of the eye 11 and the loop or link of the cable or chain 13.

The method of installation of the pile 100 for the permanent anchoring arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises the launching of said pile from a tugboat, the pile being lowered by cables or other devices and then allowed to fall so as to embed itself by gravity, as described in WO 98/08733. In order to attain the enhanced clamping strength, after the embedding of the pile 100 a small vertical movement or dragging movement is effected on it in such a way as to cause the flaps 3 of the plates 2 to be actuated, the flaps causing a rotation of the articulated elements 4; with the continuation of the vertical movement, the plates 2 continue to rotate as far as a final configuration when they reach the points of contact 6 of the stops 5.

The second embodiment of the invention comprises a pile 100 which is embedded and then withdrawn from the seabed. This embodiment, intended for temporary anchorage, is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Accordingly, in order to allow the pile 100 to be withdrawn, if necessary, the points of contact 6 of the stops 5 are located in a movable cylinder 7 installed in the interior of the body 1 of the pile 100. The stops 5, which in this case are fixed in the plates 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, reach the movable cylinder 7 after passing through the openings 8 in the wall of the body 1 of the pile 100.

Before the operation of withdrawing the pile 100 from the seabed with the aid of the cable or chain 10 connected to an eye 11 and actuated by the floating equipment of the installation, the movable cylinder 7 is moved upwards by means of a cable 9 connected to its top (see FIG. 3), which can be actuated by the floating equipment of the installation or by a remote-controlled operating vehicle (ROV).

This operation allows the openings 8 to be fully opened such that the stops 5 can be moved into the interior of the body 1 of the pile 100 until the plates 2 are parallel to the body 1. In this position, the area of reaction of the pulling of the plates 2 of the body 1 is the same as exists at the time of embedding.

The sequence of this operation of withdrawal of the pile 100 from the seabed is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C.

The method of installation of the pile 100 for temporary anchoring illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B comprises, after embedding by gravity, the movement of the movable cylinder 7 upwards by means of a cable 9 connected to its top, in such a way as to move the stops 5, said stops passing through apertures 8 into the interior of the body 1 until the plates 2 are parallel to the body 1 in such a way as to permit said pile to be withdrawn.

It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that although the Figures illustrate piles 100 in which two movable plates 2 are installed in a same section, an additional number of plates can be installed in a same section or in various transverse sections along the body 1 of the pile 100, preferably distributed in a symmetrical manner.

The use of the system proposed here in the anchoring of floating structures for drilling and production of oil, can represent a considerable reduction in the costs of installation of these structures, considering that elements are used which are of low cost and easy handling.

Torpedo type piles of the type described in the present application can be used in anchoring arrangements of the “taut leg” type, which require resistance to withdrawal, or in conventional anchoring, when the presence of oil wells or discharge pipes impedes the installation of dragging anchors. 

1. A torpedo pile with enhanced clamping strength for vertical load anchoring, comprising a body having provided at one end a pointed tip for embedding in the seabed, said pile being characterized by: at least one articulated movable plate provided with a flap, said flap being capable of causing rotation of the plates when a dragging force is exerted on the system, until, the plates reach points of contact of stops.
 2. The torpedo pile of claim 1, wherein said body comprises at least two articulated movable plates provided with respective flaps.
 3. The torpedo pile of claim 1, wherein the plate(s) is/are provided externally to the upper end of the body.
 4. The torpedo pile according to claim 1, wherein the body is tapered.
 5. The torpedo pile according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises vertical fins along its length.
 6. The torpedo pile according to claim 1, wherein the pile is adapted to be permanently anchored.
 7. The torpedo pile according to claim 1, wherein the pile is adapted to be temporarily anchored, and, in order to permit said pile to be withdrawn from the seabed after embedding, the pile additionally comprises a mechanism for moving the stops so that the plates can move so as to be parallel to the body of said pile, so that the pile can be withdrawn from the seabed.
 8. The torpedo pile according to claim 7, wherein said mechanism comprises an internally movable cylinder in communication with said stops, in such a way that, in the operation of withdrawing said pile, said movable cylinder is moved upwards with the aid of a cable connected to the top thereof, and the stops are moved into the interior of the body after passing through apertures.
 9. The torpedo pile according to claim 1, wherein the stops are fixed to the body.
 10. The torpedo pile according to claim 1, wherein the stops are fixed to the plates.
 11. The torpedo pile according to claim 8, wherein its upper end is provided with an eye for attaching to cables or chains.
 12. The torpedo pile according to claim 11, characterized in that the eye has a configuration such as will allow for it to be drawn in any direction.
 13. The torpedo pile according to claim 11, wherein the base of the eye has an aperture such as will allow for the fitting of a link with contact between the sling of the eye and the loop or link of the cable or chain.
 14. The torpedo pile according to claim 8, wherein an additional number of plates are installed in a same section or in various transverse sections along the body of said pile.
 15. The torpedo pile according to claim 14, wherein the plates are distributed in a symmetrical manner along the body.
 16. The torpedo pile according to claim 15, wherein a taut leg anchoring system is used.
 17. The torpedo pile according to claim 15, wherein use is made of conventional anchoring, when the presence of oil wells or discharge pipes impedes the installation of dragging anchors.
 18. A method of installation of the pile according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises, after embedding of said pile in the sea-bed, the performance of a slight vertical movement or dragging in such a way as to cause the flaps of the plates to actuate, the flaps incurring a rotation of the plates such that, with the continuation of the vertical movement, the plates continue to rotate as far as a final configuration, when points of contact of the stops are reached.
 19. A method of withdrawal of the pile according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises, after embedding by gravity, the movement of the mechanism such as to move the stops, said stops passing through apertures to the interior of the body until the plates are parallel to the body in such a way as to allow said pile to be withdrawn.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said mechanism comprises an internally movable cylinder in communication with said stops, in such a way that, in the operation of withdrawing said pile, said movable cylinder is moved upwards with the aid of a cable connected to the top thereof, and the stops are moved into the interior of the body after passing through apertures; and said method comprises moving the movable cylinder upwards by means of the cable connected to its tip such that the stops may retract through the apertures. 